Ireland has lowest rape conviction rate - report

Ireland has the lowest level of rape convictions in the European Union, according to a report due to be unveiled at a conference in Dublin tomorrow.

The report is expected to say that just 1-2% of rape allegations investigated in Ireland between 1993 and 2002 resulted in a conviction.

This compares to the next lowest figure of 8-10% in England, Scotland, Wales and Sweden.

The report was compiled by the director of London Metropolitan University’s child and woman abuse studies unit, who said her study proved that most EU states were failing to protect the rights of their female citizens.